OSHA VPP and Industrial Facilities

For Industrial Safety, there is no greater recognition than the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status. The purpose of OSHA VPP Statuses is to “recognize employers and workers in the private industry and federal agencies who have implemented effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries.”

What are the program recognitions?

Star: Those who “demonstrate exemplary achievement in the prevention and control of occupational safety and health hazards the development, implementation and continuous improvement of their safety and health management system.”

Merit: For those who have “developed and implemented good safety and health management systems, but who must take additional steps to reach Star quality.”

Demonstration: For those “who operate effective safety and health management systems that differ from current VPP requirements.”

How is VPP Status acquired?

Facilities seeking VPP Status require a safety culture that is led by management and labor. Facility personnel must have built or will build safety programs that are designed to prevent fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. This must also be demonstrated during the application process. Your facility must submit an application to OSHA, and then OSHA will perform a “rigorous onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals.” (At sites with union labor, the union must be involved through representation by the bargaining unit).

What does this mean for your facility?

Once OSHA VPP Star status is acquired, that facility is exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain the VPP status. Once in the program, facilities must undergo re-evaluation every three to five years to verify the standards of the program are still met.

What are the current outcomes for facilities that have VPP Status?

Overall, VPP worksites have a case rate for Days Away Restricted or Transferred (DART) 52% below average for its industry. An impressive figure that shows this program reduces the rate of injuries, illness, and fatalities.

Why should your facility go through all that work?

A healthy and safe workforce is more efficient.

No OSHA inspections with VPP status.

Publicly traded? Investors want to see returns! A dangerous work place costs time, money, and productive capabilities.

Peace of mind. Everyone gets to go home to their families every day.

Ultimately, a strong safety and health culture leads to lives saved and reduced costs. What are you waiting for?

Ted Hartman is a Senior Engineer with Fossil Consulting Services. He graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Safety and Environmental Protection. In addition to managing safety at a power plant, Ted has over a decade of experience in the Power Industry, utilizing his knowledge to provide quality training services from fossil powered plants to hydroelectric and geothermal. He provides technical consulting services to utility, independent power, and a variety of high-profile government clients in the areas of program design, development and implementation. Past projects included Operating Procedures, Maintenance Procedures, Simulator Training Programs, and OJT (On-the-Job Training) Manuals.